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“Josh, get out now or I’m going to beat the shit out of you.”
He stands but still doesn’t make a move to leave.
“I’m just trying to protect you, Chandler. You have a very successful business, and if she’s after any of it, I don’t want you to do something stupid to lose it.”
“She’s not after my money and she’s not faking the amnesia!”
My voice echoes through my office and Josh stands there, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Get out. You don’t want me to talk to you right now. I can promise you that it won’t turn out the way you think it will. Leave or I’ll have Jillian call security.”
“They have already been advised to be on standby.”
Jillian’s voice comes from the doorway, but I keep my eyes trained on Josh. He sighs and shakes his head like he is disappointed in me.
“Fine, I’ll go, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He turns and storms out of my office, nearly knocking Jillian over on his way out. Once he’s gone, my body starts to shake with how much I’m having to tense my muscles to hold back.
“Do you want me to cancel the rest of your meetings?”
“No. It’s fine. Everything will stay right on track. I just need a moment.”
She nods and turns to leave, but I can tell that she wants to say more.
“I’m fine, Jillian. Please just order us some lunch so that I can have it after my next meeting. Order from wherever you want.”
She nods again and leaves, closing my office door. As soon as I hear the click of the door latching, I sink into my chair. I don’t know how much worse this week can get, but at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised by anything.
I give myself one minute. One minute to stress over the fact that the mother of my children is ignoring me for unknown reasons. One minute to be angry with my best friend and his bullshit. One minute to worry that the perfect future I could see for myself wasn’t going to happen. I allow myself one minute to wonder if I’m going to lose Tanya all over again.
After that one minute is over, I shake myself and focus on work. I get all the papers I need for my next meeting and check my schedule to reorient myself on what I’m supposed to be doing. Now is not the time to be worried or stressed out over things I cannot control, now is the time to focus on my company and what I need to do to keep it running.
Even if Tanya runs, I have to think about our children’s future. This company is going to guarantee that they want for nothing in their lives, and that’s what matters most. I will focus on what to do to make sure she doesn’t run later.
Just as I was leaving my last meeting of the day, I got a text from Tanya saying that she and Sophia would be at the penthouse by six o’clock. I felt both relived and anxious at her text. I was relieved that she was going to be here, present and within reach, and anxious that she was going to tell me that she wanted to end things.
A part of me worried that Josh and my mom were right, that she had run from me nine years ago. That she ran, got in a car accident that almost took her life, and forgot about me. I could deal with her never getting her memories back. I could handle her never remembering our life before. I can’t handle her leaving me again. I barely survived it last time and I wouldn’t survive it again. Especially if she takes my children with her.
No, don’t think like that, Chandler. Give her a chance to talk.
I gather my things and tell Jillian to go home. It’s a quarter past five, and I told Tanya I was going to do better at being around and working less. Jillian should benefit from that as well. I make it home with just enough time to change out of my suit and into a pair of jeans and a nice long sleeve Henley shirt. It was chilly out tonight, but I plan on finally keeping my word to Sophia and show her the roof.
I grab the key to the door for the roof from my office and take it to the kitchen so I have it ready and nearby when they arrive. For a moment, I think about getting dinner set up there for us to enjoy, but with the chill, I don’t want the food to get cold or anyone to get sick. Lisa made something simple for us and left directions for me to heat it up before leaving for the night. I don’t know how tonight is going to go, but if it goes the way I want, then I just want a night for the three of us to be a family.
I need to keep my hands busy, so I get everything out of the fridge for dinner and start to get everything heated up. Lisa made Tanya and me a steak salad that looks amazing and made some homemade chicken nuggets and mac and cheese for Sophia.
Ten minutes after dinner is ready, they arrive, and as soon as I see Tanya, my stomach is full of nerves.
“Hello, ladies. I hope you’re hungry.”
I wave my hand toward the table with everything set out, and Sophia runs overs to me, hugs me quickly around the waist, and takes a seat.
“I’m starving!”
I laugh and turn to face Tanya. She looks tired, and I just want to hold her, but I don’t know if that’s what she wants right now.
“You okay? How was the drive?”
